Equipment Operators Make Money

Heavy equipment operators enjoy high job satisfaction across the board. One reason for that could be the excellent pay scale. Beginning operators make above minimum wage in most places, and the median income for a heavy equipment operator is $18.00 an hour. Of course, there are varying factors that influence how much heavy equipment operators are paid on the job. These factors include:

• Location
• Experience
• Employer
• Skill level

Just to name a few.

As heavy equipment operators gain new skills and experience, they make more money. It’s not unheard of for an experienced operator to earn up to $28 an hour. And if the operator is trained as a mobile crane operator, then the pay could be even higher. Add to that a Class-A CDL certification, rigger/signalperson training, and hazardous materials handling, and you’ve got a pretty good career in the works.

How to Become a Heavy Equipment Operator

Salaries are also influenced by location. If you are in Denver, for instance, you could earn 12 percent more than heavy equipment operators in other cities. Residents of Seattle could earn 25 percent more. Las Vegas heavy equipment operators earn on average 23 percent more than heavy equipment operators elsewhere. If you live in Charleston, you’ll likely earn less.

Even still, heavy equipment operators enjoy a lifetime of job satisfaction, and it’s fairly easy to get started. Your first step is to enroll in heavy equipment operator training. When you do, you’ll be paired up with a career counselor to help you develop job search and networking skills as you train for your career. When you graduate, you’ll have a lifetime membership to a job search board. Your heavy equipment operator career is waiting for you right around the corner.